Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Graphic Designers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Tri-C, Ohio State, and Stark State.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Davis, College of Mount St. Joseph, Defiance College, and Ohio State.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Ursuline College and Davis.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Davis and Tri-C.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Ursuline College, Ashland University, Tri-C, and College of Mount St. Joseph.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Cleveland Institute of Art, and Art Academy.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Defiance College, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Ohio State, Cedarville University, and University of Dayton.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Notre Dame College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Art Academy, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cedarville University, and Ursuline College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Cincinnati • Cincinnati, OH
Studying Graphic Design (DAAP) (completion in 2011)
• 7/6/2011
"I learned more than I expected to learn, and the fact that I had a job waiting for me upon graduating really helped."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | this is one of the top art programs in the country, and I can see why. I gained so much experience, and I feel like a true competitor amongst some of the other people who have a bit more experience than I do. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | We have meetings with actual national companies (Vogue, Elle) and we are also sought after because of the instruction we undertook. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I am satisfied, because I had a co-op for two quarters at graphic design firms which really gave me a good look into the graphic arts field. |
| Instruction | 10 | We did a lot of designing from scratch as well as doing things for mock clients. it gave us a sense of realism with our work. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There were a lot of deadlines, which meant a lot of late nights. Also, there were a lot of things that the professor wanted which became somewhat difficult to do. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We worked in a lab. We had reading, but everything we did was hands on, from sculpting to painting and so on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | it was kind of flexible. There were times when class was too demanding and it became tough to keep all of your engagements. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | We had an on site art store for supplies. There were also tons of labs where we could work on our assignments and get all that we needed. |
| Social Life | 10 | All the students and professors were really friendly. I made a lot of friends who were in the same program as me, which made it easier for me to get comfortable. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Because of my co-op it was easy to get a job upon graduating. They work closely with companies to try and have a student to fill the companies needs. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Since I am newly graduated, I am unsure the extent of the alumni. I have met a couple of alumni who are pretty helpful. |
Mount Union College • Alliance, OH
Studying Media Computing (completion in 2006)
• 7/10/2011
"I don't feel the education I received was ample to prepare me for a career in graphic design. 95% of the things I know I taught myself."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | This is not the best school for this career path. I would never recommend it to anyone. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | The reputation of the program is not good. Most graduates are working in retail. |
| Program Quality | 1 | The program taught me very little about what I needed to know for my career. It was overpriced for the quality of education. |
| Instruction | 1 | the quality of the curriculum was bad. I learned very little. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Non-major classes were challenging. Major-related classes were not. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of my learning in my major was hands on. Other classes were mostly book-learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | It's mostly a campus of traditional students. So, there were very few night classes and no weekend classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There were a lot of computer labs. They were always upgrading them and the software and kept the computers well maintained. The labs were available 24/7 and some were specifically for graphics/computer students. |
| Social Life | 8 | There were a lot of opportunities to get involved. I was very involved and met a lot of people. |
| Placement Services | 3 | There was a class about how to prepare resumes and go to job fairs and interviews. Other than that, I received no assistance in finding a job. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | There is a strong alumni program. However, they are always asking for money. |
Northwest State Community College • Archbold, OH
Studying Marketing (completion in 2010)
• 7/13/2011
"As a social outlet, I feel the school could offer more. The faculty is well versed and educated."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I ran into problems when graduation time came and had a hard time getting things solved. Without good advising, some students can feel lost. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Marketing is an up and coming area of study. This school has great instructors in the field. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The school covered many topics in the design area. It had great programs to learn on. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most work was done in class, so it helped in case there were questions. Instructors were always prepared with work. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was easy to keep up with. I work fast, so my work was always done on time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most classes had books, as well as hands-on learning. It was split about 50-50. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Many night classes are offered. In some cases, a class may be only offered in one semester, so you may have to wait to take it. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Almost all rooms had a computer, so there was always access when needed. Tutors were not so easy to come by unless you were involved and knew who to go to. |
| Social Life | 1 | I basically went to class and left. I had no friends from the school in class or out of class. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I had no help in career placement. Unless you are very involved, you wouldn't know career services exists. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I graduated in Dec. 2010 and have yet to receive anything from the school as far as an alumni association is concerned. The support is very poor. |
Franklin University • Columbus, OH
Studying Interactive Media Design (completion in 2012)
• 7/11/2011
"I've been learning what I need to know. There's not a lot of extra useless information being thrown at me, like other schools tend to do."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Franklin university is perfect for what it is. Get in school and get your degree. There are no extras involved. It keeps you focused and business minded. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The major that I am studying is a new major. Franklin University has an decent reputation overall, but the major is new so it doesn't necessarily have a reputation yet. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I took a major that combines interactive media design and emarketing. This major is providing me with a lot of useful information. So far, from the information I've learned, I've been able to begin work on my own graphics/marketing company. |
| Instruction | 10 | The teachers are very experienced and are able to answer any questions I have thoroughly. I enjoy the way the classes are taught. |
| How Difficult | 5 | There is a lot of work to do. It's hard sometimes keeping up with the online classes, but overall its average. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a good median between hands on and book work. A lot of the work I do is computer based. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The school is based around working people's schedules, so most of the classes are scheduled either really early in the morning or in the evening and there are some on the weekends. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I don't go to campus. I'm not exactly sure what they have to offer. I know the online resources for research are wonderful. There is a multitude of resources I can use. |
| Social Life | 1 | This school is business oriented. There are no athletics. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I haven't used the job placement services. The school does offer them though. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I'm not exactly sure about this aspect of the school. I do most of my schooling online and don't participate in the alumni network and such. |
Columbus College Of Art & Design • Columbus, OH
Studying Advertising & Graphic Design (completion in 2009)
• 7/26/2011
"I was pretty satisfied with my school. Overall I had a wonderful experience and gained a lot of knowledge."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | CCAD is a great school for those who want to be challenged. I believe those pursuing an artistic degree in the Columbus area should check them out. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I would say that the reputation for the Advertising & Graphic Design program is pretty good. There were a lot of students who selected that major when I was enrolled. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I changed majors from Interior Design to Advertising/Graphic Design. I think the schooling was great but the expenses were crazy! |
| Instruction | 9 | I had wonderful professors at "CCAD" and feel like I learned a lot, such as how to work well under pressure, how to present my ideas, and how to deal with clients. So I say it was of good quality! |
| How Difficult | 10 | The first year of college was extremely hard. There were days where I hardly ate, hardly slept, and hardly knew my head from my feet. The work load was very heavy in those days. As the years went by, it got better, all the way to the end! |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Although I had a schedule full of a variety of classes, I would say that most of my work was hands on. This is the best way to learn, in my opinion. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | We had a strict Monday-Friday type of school schedule. We could only be absent for I think 2 classes before the professors were able to fail us for the semester. Not that I had a problem with absences. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | They have since upgraded... but I wasn't too fond of our library. It was very outdated and boring to be in. Computers were always available though, so that was good! |
| Social Life | 2 | I hated not having an outlet at my school. Since it was art school I guess it was to be expected. The only thing we could do was hang in the student lounge... |
| Placement Services | 1 | CCAD has no job placement program. The career resources are OK....they have a website that you can follow closely to find jobs in the area. That's about it. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Well, I am not absolutely sure as to everything we have available to us... but I know there's a facebook page for alumni. Also, they have gatherings every now and again to reconnect the students. |
Scarlet Oaks C.D.C. • Cincinnati, OH
Studying Art And Printing (completion in 1999)
• 8/7/2011
"Other than there not being any kind of job placement, I am very satisfied with the school They have many tools for learning."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It was a fun school. If you love art like I do, than it just might be a great fit for you. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I have not really heard anything about the school recently. I do not know anyone that goes to that school right now either. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I loved being in the program. I learned a lot about art there. |
| Instruction | 8 | They were very helpful and very knowledgeable. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I din not find it to be a challenge because I enjoyed being there. The workload was pretty average and we did not have to take it home with us. So that made it better, too. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did everything hands on. There were a lot of projects. I do not really remember working from a book at all. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The class only had 2 options: morning and night classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There were enough computers for each student to have their own in class. There was a lot of space and even a darkroom for developing photos. |
| Social Life | 7 | Most of the friends that I have today were people that I met at that school. I had great experiences there. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They did not help me to find a job at all. I had to do my own job search and eventually decided to try my own thing form home. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | They have never contacted me about class reunions. The only way I keep in contact with people I was there with is through Facebook. |
Sinclair Community College • Dayton, OH
Studying Visual Communications (completion in 2010)
• 8/14/2011
"I feel that my education is top notch in the field of Visual Communications. The program was all encompassing, and I feel that I can work in many areas of graphic design and VIS because of the excellent training I received at Sinclair."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Sinclair has a terrific reputation in the Dayton area and is accredited. This allows the school to be current with equipment and curriculum. The area four year colleges currently send their graduates to Sinclair to further their degrees to be able to work in the workforce. That says a lot. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Four year colleges hold the Sinclair VIS program in high regard. That says it all. As a graduate, I felt ready to join my field. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Sinclair has consistently been accredited in the Visual Communications department. This accreditation allows the school to stay up to date on all software programs concerning design. |
| Instruction | 10 | Instructors at Sinclair are working in the field of Visual Communications. This was very helpful since the design field is so rapidly changing. The instructors were always able to add to the curriculum by using their own personal experiences. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The difficulty came mostly in learning the application-specific tools. Because design is very hands on and project oriented, it made the work load very fun. Of course, general studies are required too. Sinclair makes it as easy as possible to accomplish the general studies with the workload of the VIS degree requirements. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Hands on learning was essential for the VIS department at Sinclair. The VIS department provided the equipment to perform project function learning. Sinclair also offered lab time where students were allowed to come and use the equipment. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | SCC considers all types of students when they set up their class schedules. As an adult student, I was able to get my degree and have a part time job. I was able to choose from evening, weekend, and weekday class schedules. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | All of the equipment and facilities are first rate at Sinclair College. The VIS department software was always the most current versions available on the market, and the printing equipment was first rate. Digital printers were supplied and utilized. |
| Social Life | 5 | Sinclair is a community college. There are a lot of returning students, adults, as well as younger students looking to start their education. I was able to bond with both the students and teachers while studying at Sinclair. |
| Placement Services | 5 | As a recent graduate, I am looking forward to my first session with the career counselor at SCC. Graphic design is a popular field of employment so I have high hopes of getting help. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am a recent graduate. I have been contacted by the alumni association and will join my first group event this September. I'm looking forward to it. |
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center • Brecksville, OH
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2010)
• 8/31/2011
"Overall, for the money and time I spent, I was very satisfied. As a parent with little time and money to spare, I got a decent education and was able to build classes around a schedule that worked for me and my family."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend it to older adults, especially those with families, wishing to pursue an education in a shorter time span. For a younger student with the ability to pursue a 4 year bachelors degree, I might recommend a 4 year degree program at a different college. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | CVCC is pretty well known in Ohio for certificate programs. They are listed as an accredited school and are recognized by many people. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Excellent program for the time and money. If someone is seeking a job that requires more specialized training or something more than a certificate program, this is not the school to go to. |
| Instruction | 8 | The instructors were very willing to answer questions and show you certain techniques in more detail on your own time. I liked that they were always willing to donate their time to help. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The program was not overly difficult if you had pretty good pre-existing computer knowledge. As long as you showed up to class, paid attention, and practiced, it was pretty easy to catch on. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | While books were used for reference, the majority of the program focused on hands experience. Portfolio building was a major focus of the course of study and the majority of assignments were computer produced, hands on assignments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | They are very flexible when it comes to schedules. Not only do they offer weekend and evening classes, but many of the classes can be taken online from home as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | They provide excellent computer labs. Professors have pretty flexible office hours and will set up times to meet based on what works for your schedule. |
| Social Life | 8 | Most students are on strict time schedules either because they work full time jobs, are parents, or both. There really is not much socialization because people attend class and then rush to meet other obligations. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Career services has a lot to offer in the way of preparing for interviews and updating and writing a great resume. I am not sure if my having graduated during a time when the job market is bad is a coincidence or if they just are not helpful. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Though CVCC offers recommendations upon request, they don't have a strong alumni support chain compared to other 4 year colleges. I wish they could have set me up with potential jobs rather than having to seek them out on my own. |
ITT Technical Institute • Hilliard, OH
Studying Visual Communications (completion in 2010)
• 9/3/2011
"I am very satisfied with my school. I had fun earning my degree and had a positive experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend ITT Technical Institute to anyone who needs flexible class times, small class sizes, and the option to earn a degree in two years. I had an awesome experience. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I think the school has a good reputation. They have nearly 100 campuses nationwide. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I am satisfied with my education in my field of study. The curriculum exposes students to the many different career paths for someone in the field of design. |
| Instruction | 9 | The instructors I had were incredible. They all work in the field or had in the past. I learned everything I needed to know in order to have a career in the field of graphic design (or a related field). |
| How Difficult | 7 | My program of study was somewhat challenging. You need to have the ability to learn several different computer programs, some at the same time. The workload became heavy at the end of each quarter with final projects becoming due and final papers to write or exams to take. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | ITT Tech boasts a very hands-on learning environment. They really aim to train you for a career. There is plenty of book learning as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Class times are very flexible at ITT Tech. You can choose to attend classes in person or online. If you choose to attend in person, you also have the option to attend either morning or evening classes. Some Saturday classes are offered and sometimes, Saturday is mandatory. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school's resources were great. Whenever the school is open, students have access to the library, computer labs, printers, etc. The classrooms were mostly spacious, with the exception of a couple of small rooms. Classrooms were kept clean. The school is well lit and safe. Tutors are readily available and instructors encourage students to take advantage of the tutoring services. |
| Social Life | 9 | I had a great social experience at the school. There were parties every quarter for classes that maintained an overall good attendance rate. They had festivals like The Battle of the Bands and Spring Fling. The Dean could often be seen in the student lounge with snacks for students. There are no athletics. |
| Placement Services | 3 | The career services department wasn't really effective in their efforts. It seemed like they tried, but that was one of the major gripes from students when I attended classes at ITT Tech. It seems like they only search the ads that all of us already have access to and most of the time, when career services announced a position, I had already seen that ad somewhere else. I guess I thought they had real connections with large companies in Columbus, because that's how it was portrayed. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am not aware of any Alumni Association. I know there is a Program Advisory Board meeting once per year, in which certain alumni are invited to give feedback relevant to the field they work in and to suggest curriculum changes in an effort to keep the programs up to date. |
University Of Akron • Akron, OH
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2001)
• 10/12/2011
"I feel it was good enough. However I think I would have accomplished more at another school... if I could do it over."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a good school. The program is decent. The faculty is top notch as well. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Akron has a decent reputation in the Arts and Graphic Design field. The faculty are highly rated as well. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I don't think the whole program was well thought out. I believe there should be more emphasis in design related courses. It should have provided better preparation for the real world. |
| Instruction | 5 | The professors were great, but the core curriculum could have been improved. I don't think I have used much of what I learned from the classes themselves. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I think the classes were just difficult enough. It depended on the credits per semester and the balance of Art classes and the University required classes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I find that I learn better by actually doing. Books are good for a reference or base knowledge. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There are a lot of options for classes. I think there should be more evening or weekend classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | There were plenty of places to work in the Art building. The academic advisers were less then helpful for me when I went to counseling. They ended up delaying my education for a year. |
| Social Life | 5 | Akron has plenty of options for events. I belonged to a few university activities. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I tried to use the career services. They weren't very helpful for the Graphic Design field. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I do belong to the alumni network at school. I read the emails and the postcards that are sent. |
Bowling Green State University • Bowling Green, OH
Studying Graphic Arts (completion in 1994)
• 10/15/2011
"I loved it. Best time of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I haven't seen it in its current form as I moved away from Ohio. I had a friend graduate a few years after me and said it was impressive. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I'm sure programs at SF College of Art & Design or other schools are better. This is Bowling Green, Ohio. Not the art capital of the world. But it wasn't $10,000 a semester or more like other art schools. my business degree has been far more valuable. But combined with GD, I moved up to run a marketing department in corporate design for manufacturing. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It's a state school, not an arts school. I also got a GD degree from a trade school called ATI in Dallas, TX to catch up. Now, schools have much better graphic arts programs than before. Students are probably far better prepared coming out of school than when I learned on Photoshop 3. |
| Instruction | 7 | We focused on InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator long before the programs became as powerful as they are today. I've been having to learn and stay on top of it every year since my degree and the instruction was more geared toward a world and field that changed. Bad timing. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Kind of like many art programs where little is criticized and technical proficiency is most important. I didn't get as much art background as program proficiency. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | All graphic design programs have to be hands-on. You have to learn art and layout and choices and colors and programs. You can't do GD from a book except to learn programs or styles or projects to emulate. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I was more concerned about the party scene than the classes. Many have varied schedules. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Then, average. Now, much better. They invested in new buildings and programs years after I graduated. They were much better known for training teachers and hockey. |
| Social Life | 10 | I loved it. Best time of my life. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I moved away and found work on my own through a print shop as pre-press/GD. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I never used alum connections once I got in the real world. |
Marietta College • Marietta, OH
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2006)
• 12/6/2011
"The friends I made and the 4 years at college were worth the mediocre education. At least, that's how I feel now that I have a job I like. I may feel differently in ten years if I'm still paying off student loans."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Half of college is what you make of it. It worked for me, so it could work for others but nothing is guaranteed. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | Marietta is better known for its Baseball team and Petro department than for its art programs. It was a very small department. |
| Program Quality | 4 | I don't feel that my college did a very good job of preparing me for the "real" world. I also feel like there was a lot missing in my design education, such as web design. |
| Instruction | 5 | The teacher was okay, but there was only one in the program. It would have been nice to have another point of view. At least she was knowledgeable. |
| How Difficult | 3 | It was pretty easy, overall. A lot of assignments required creativity, but lacked client experience. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A lot of our design assignments were by the book, as opposed to what it's like to work with a client. We did have an internship program, so I got some book experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | There were evening classes, but I was never interested in them. There were summer offerings, as I stayed and took an extra course one summer. At the time, there weren't many online courses because that idea was just starting to grow. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | As there was only one professor resources were also limited. There were always other design students around, though. |
| Social Life | 7 | I had a fantastic social life at school for the most part, but it wasn't because of the college. My friends were active and made things happen. I couldn't tell you about the athletics, because I never paid attention. I was an art/theatre dork who hung out with other art/theatre dorks. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I got a job with my talent and determination. While I enjoyed my college experience, I feel I could have ended up with the same position had I gone a different route and just gotten an Associate's Degree. |
| Alumni Network | I don't know of an alumni network. I've met some other Marietta graduates in my career search, but it has never helped me get a job. |
University Of Cincinnati • Cincinnati, OH
Studying Fine Arts (completion in 2005)
• 2/23/2012
"I was really pleased with my choice of UC and feel like I got an excellent education. I learned many things which I never dreamed I would be able to, such as taking classes in woodblock printing, large format photography, and lithography."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend the UC Fine Arts program! I'm very proud of my school and the education I received. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | UC is rated as one of the top nations in the school for its programs at DAAP (design, architecture, art, and planning.) I have heard very good things about the program. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I enjoyed the fine arts program at UC very much and LOVED the DAAP building, which is very artsy and unusual. However, the facilities for this program could use some upgrading - such as the studios and lockers. They are in the older part of the building and preferential treatment seemed to be given to the facilities for architecture, design, and planning. |
| Instruction | 8 | I loved all of my fine arts studio professors. I did NOT enjoy some of the classes taught by teaching assistants (master's program students). A few of them were not very good. Also, there needs to be better career training and/or internships and job search help for students in this program. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The academic requirements for the fine arts program were understandably somewhat easy, which I appreciated. However, the studio classes are very intensive, with 8 hours of in-studio time every week for each art studio class, and usually most students have at least 2 studios. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The Fine Arts program consists largely of studio classes, where you are involved in painting, drawing, photography, computer animation, etc. This makes up about 75% of the workload, and there is little book work in the studios. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | UC's evening, summer, and online class options are limited. Art students do not have much flexibility at all in scheduling, as the 4-hour, 2 times a week studios take up large chunks of time. Also, freshmen are not given a choice as to how they will arrange their schedules - their studios are scheduled for them. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The DAAP library and computer labs are excellent. Professors are available during certain office hours or by appointment for meetings. The classrooms are about the right size. My only complaint is that the arts studios specifically, and lockers, are shabby and need updating badly. (At least as of 2005.) |
| Social Life | 7 | I was a commuter student, so was not able to be involved with social activities at school. I wish the school would offer special programs/activities/groups for commuters. |
| Placement Services | 4 | There is definitely not enough job placement/career services assistance in the fine arts program. The design, architecture, and planning students have intensive career placement and internship programs. The arts students take one class that teaches how to be a "professional" in the job market. It is not nearly enough training for the real world of finding a job, so I struggled for 5 years to find a suitable job. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | There is a very good alumni network, but I have not kept in touch very much. So I can not comment too much on its quality. |
Ohio University • Athens, OH
Studying Bachelor's Of Fine Arts In Graphic Design (completion in 1983)
• 2/26/2012
"I loved my classes. I increased my skill level. I had good friends. The campus was pretty. I graduated in 4 years and got a job. Almost 30 years later, I still have a job in my major, and not everyone can say that."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The program has been around a long, long time. I would recommend to someone that they at least check out Ohio University if they are considering a career in graphic design. |
| Program Reputation | I don't keep up with it, so I am not aware of what its current reputation is. However, the School of Art newsletter that I used to get was very nicely designed, and it was done by students, so it gave me a favorable view of the school. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | We got a broad art education...art history, studio arts, and graphic design. My teachers had all been working as graphic designers, so they had real-world experience. Our teachers gave us a lot of feedback, and critiques came from both teachers and the other students, which was helpful for improving our work. |
| Instruction | 8 | One aspect that we never covered was designing within a budget. There were parameters for projects regarding design concepts, but we were never told to work within a budget (fictional though it might have been.) Once I got into my first job, many print techniques that I mimicked in a class project were too expensive to use in the "real world." |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was a lot of work, but not necessarily difficult for me. I loved it all, so although it was challenging, it was not difficult or a chore to slog through. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I only used books for one class -- Art History. All other classes were in studio and hands on; painting, drawing, printmaking, etc. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I think the schedule was reasonably flexible. I never had any trouble getting the classes I wanted. The only difficulty was that art classes are generally longer (2-3 hours) than a math or English class. That fact sometimes made it difficult to fit everything in. Sometimes you had to take an 8 am class, even though it wasn't your first choice. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | We had a huge amount of studio space and teachers were always willing to help. I went to school in the pre-computer era, so I am sure the facilities are entirely different today. |
| Social Life | 10 | My school was very social and I had a GREAT time. I didn't participate in many organized events (Greek life, athletics, etc.), but we had a thriving bar scene, and my friends and I were there every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This was almost 30 years ago, when drinking was far less regulated than it is today. |
| Placement Services | I never used the school's placement office. I don't know if any of my classmates did either. | |
| Alumni Network | I never used or attempted to use the alumni network. I know there were alumni events in my town, but I never attended any. |
Miami University • Oxford, OH
Studying Theatre Design (completion in 2011)
• 2/24/2012
"Best years of my life. I feel prepared for my career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I really liked it. The school is cutting funding for the program, however, so the program may rapidly decline. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | It's not well known. It's also assumed that Ohio programs aren't all that great. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program was excellent. I received an overall design education. |
| Instruction | 8 | I was able to get not only educational experience, but also "real world" experience. The professors were also incredible. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The schedule is intense and the advanced design work is incredibly tough. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It depended on the teacher and class. Design classes are much more hands on than history classes. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | It's primarily a daytime institution. There are a few limited weekend and evening classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The business school gets all the money. They have the best spaces and equipment for working in/with. |
| Social Life | 10 | Fantastically small and tight-knit program. I made some of the greatest friends ever, and there was always something to do. |
| Placement Services | 6 | I got some help looking. They don't have good people working there. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I know there is a good alumni organization. I haven't joined it, so I can't say much more. |
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